Farmers offered cash for gritting
FARMERS and contractors are being offered £200 for signing up to clear snow during the winter months.
Derbyshire County Council says it is hoping to put plenty of resources in place this winter to keep the county moving when freezing weather arrives.
And the authority is asking for people to help clear snow and ice from the area’s roads and pavements, offering anyone taken on as a contractor £200 for signing up, plus extra payments for call-outs.
Town and parish councils and schools help to clear snow in their areas as part of the council’s Snow Warden Scheme.
Last year the council extended the scheme to enable voluntary and community groups to take part.
Each group is given a free delivery of up to a tonne of bagged grit and given training and advice on how to clear snow and ice safely.
Snow wardens get involved in clearing snow and ice from their community’s pavements, reporting local weather conditions through the council’s website, co-ordinating volunteers to clear snow and distribute grit and reporting empty grit bins.
Meanwhile farmers and others with ploughing or gritting equipment are also being asked to work as contractors to help keep the roads on the move during the winter months.
Councillor Kewal Singh Athwal, cabinet member for highways assets and transport, said: “We really do appreciate the support of all our volunteers and farmer contractors to help keep the county moving if bad weather hits.
“I’d urge any local council or community group to have a think about helping their local community by clearing pavements when it snows, and for any farmers who have the right equipment to help with clearing snow on our rural roads to get in touch.”
Anyone wanting to get involved can find out more and sign up by emailing snow@ derbyshire.gov.uk.
The teams of volunteers will work alongside the county council’s team of gritters.
Farmers and contractors wanting to help out need to provide their own equipment, be able to work between 7am and 7pm Monday to Sunday – although extra help might be requested if conditions are particularly bad.
They will also need to supply their own insurance and be able to respond to a call-out within 90 minutes.